Overview

Isaac Burns Murphy (1861--1896) was one of the most dynamic jockeys of his era. Still considered one of the finest riders of all time, Murphy was the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times, and his 44 percent win record remains unmatched. Despite his success, Murphy was pushed out of Thoroughbred racing when African American jockeys were forced off the track, and he died in obscurity. In The Prince of Jockeys: The Life of Isaac Burns Murphy, author Pellom McDaniels III offers the first definitive biography of this celebrated athlete, whose life spanned the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the adoption of Jim Crow legislation. Despite the obstacles he faced, Murphy became an important figure -- not just in sports, but in the social, political, and cultural consciousness of African Americans. Drawing from legal documents, census data, and newspapers, this comprehensive profile explores how Murphy epitomized the rise of the black middle class and contributed to the construction of popular notions about African American identity, community, and citizenship during his lifetime.

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9780813142715

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Reviews

Like its subject, The Prince of Jockeys is layered and thoughtful, an accessible read that demonstrates how an extraordinary man's life reflected the complex struggles of African Americans in the late nineteenth century. -- Ohio Valley History

A persuasive blend of storytelling and historical analysis, this is an enlightening account for horsemen, sports lovers, and historians of post Reconstruction-era American race relations. Pellom McDaniels' success is that he brings into sharp relief the devolving social and cultural context of African-American jockey Isaac Burns Murphy's childhood, apprenticeship, and career. The author convinces the reader of Murphy's personal discipline and singular achievements--enabled despite an increasingly hostile environment by the support of family and the larger African-American community's commitment to the project of self-advancement. -- Myra Young Armstead, Bard College

Author Information

Pellom McDaniels III is faculty curator of African American Collections and assistant professor of African American Studies at Emory University, USA. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship to complete this book.

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